Canada is investing in important climate change research

Science has shown us that climate change is real—it has shown us the impact on our health and on the stability of our climate, and science will show us the best ways to tackle the challenge. By investing in science, Canada is supporting the researchers who are making the discoveries we need to fight climate change and adapt to its impacts. Canadians expect their governments to make decisions based on scientific evidence, and Canada will continue to support cutting-edge science that can help protect future generations.

Today, the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced $4.7 million to fund nine climate change research projects. These projects are advancing our knowledge of the role forests play, accelerating innovation in energy‑efficient cooling technologies, and improving our understanding of how carbon interacts with our forests, wetlands, and oceans.

The Minister made the announcement at the University of Victoria alongside one of the recipients, research scientist Roberta Hamme. Dr. Hamme’s project, “Quantifying and predicting Canada’s ocean carbon sink,” is researching how oceans absorb and release carbon. The results of her research can help the world make better climate change predictions.

The projects are funded through the Advancing Climate Change Science in Canada initiative. This joint collaboration among the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and Health Canada (HC) will increase the scientific information available to support government decision-making on climate action.

By investing in science, we’re making sure researchers, policy-makers, and Canadians benefit from having the best information available as we all work together to fight climate change.

Quotes

“Science clearly shows us the causes of climate change, and our government is supporting the scientists who we know will show us the solutions. Working with scientists and academics will help us keep pushing forward in the fight against climate change. By coming together and working collaboratively, we can ensure a safer, healthier, more prosperous future for our children and grandchildren.”
– The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

“Climate change knows no borders, and Canadians across the country are feeling its impacts. Our government is paying close attention to science and taking further strong action by investing in research collaborations among researchers from diverse disciplines, to help Canada and the world make informed decisions in response to this global issue.”
– The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport

“Canadians see the impact of climate change wherever they look—from floods to wildfires to heatwaves—and they recognize that it is having an effect on their health and well-being. Today’s investment will increase the scientific information available to support government decision-making on climate action to protect the health of all Canadians, while helping create good jobs and a strong, clean economy. By building a better today, our government is working hard to ensure our kids and grandkids will have a healthier and safer future.”
– The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Health

“Congratulations to all recipients. This initiative is an excellent example of NSERC’s commitment to working with other government partners to achieve research outcomes that generate benefits for Canada. This important investment supports research that will address the complex and interdisciplinary nature of climate change science for a more prosperous future for all Canadians.”
– Dr. Marc Fortin, Vice-President, Research Partnerships, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

“The ocean absorbs about one third of all carbon dioxide produced by humans. Our team is excited to build on Canada’s investments in ocean observing technology and computer modelling to develop ways to accurately measure this absorption rate and predict its future changes in Canada’s three oceans.”
– Roberta Hamme, Research Scientist at the University of Victoria, Successful recipient of the Advancing Climate Change Science in Canada initiative

Quick facts

• The total funding amount is $4.7 million with contributions of $2 million from NSERC; $1.9 million from ECCC; and $800,000 from HC.

• Advancing Climate Change Science in Canada will strengthen collaborative research efforts among federal policy-makers, scientists, and the academic community to advance climate change science policies that support the work of the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, Canada’s climate plan.

• Canada’s climate plan is investing almost $70 billion to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, build resilience to a changing climate, and support the transition to a clean growth economy. It includes over 50 concrete measures to reduce carbon pollution, help us adapt and become more resilient to the impacts of a changing climate, foster clean technology solutions, and create good jobs that contribute to a stronger economy.

• In April, Government of Canada scientists released Canada’s Changing Climate Report, which showed that Canada’s climate is warming twice as fast as the global average and that urgent action is needed.

Associated links

• Complete list of the Advancing Climate Change Science in Canada recipients